Between 2022 and 2023, pure EV models increased their market share from 10% to 14.5%. However, it's clear the end of the EV subsidies had a big effect. While hybrid sales remained strong last year, new EV numbers plummeted. Just 7% of vehicles sold in 2025 were fully electric.
Plug-in hybrids (PHEVs), which are now subject to road user charges, were also out of favour. Just 4658 PHEVs were registered in NZ last year, while non plug-in hybrid sales were strong, matching those of petrol vehicles.
However, over the first nine months of 2026, EV and PHEV sales rebounded considerably. EVs comprised a record 17% of the new car market and, marking another tipping point, sales of vehicles with non plug-in hybrid engines (of which just over 1% were diesel) surpassed those of cars with traditional combustion engines:
Sales by Engine Type 2025 | Sales by Engine Type 2026 |
|---|---|
40% Petrol | 36% Non plug-in hybrid |
40% Non plug-in hybrid | 30% Petrol |
8% Diesel | 17% EV |
7% EV | 11% Plug-in hybrid |
5% Plug-in hybrid | 6% Diesel |
Source: NZTA – 2026 sales to 31/07/26
So far this year, sales by engine type:
Non plug-in hybrids: 36% (29,333)
Top models include:
- Toyota RAV4 (3477)
- Toyota Corolla Cross (3446)
- Kia Sportage (2101)
Petrol: 30% (24,994 sales)
Top models include:
- Mitsubishi ASX (3140)
- Mitsubishi Outlander (2726)
- Kia Seltos (1537)
EVs: 18% (14,357 sales)
Top models include:
- Tesla Model Y (2979)
- BYD Atto 3 (831)
- BYD Atto 2 (732)
Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle: 11% (8742 sales)
Top models include:
- Toyota RAV4 (2125)
- GWM Haval H6 (690)
- BYD Sealion 5 (530)
Diesel: 6% (5025 sales)
Top models include:
- Ford Everest (2128)
- Land Rover Defender (350)
- Mitsubishi Pajero Sport (301)
Top selling EV models
As we mention above, so far this year EV sales have bounced back:
- 2023: 21,032 EVs
- 2024: 6341 EVs
- 2025: 6871 EVs
- 2026 (Jan-Sept): 14,357 cars
And despite many new models hitting the market, such as the Dongfeng Box, the Tesla Model Y remains the country's most popular EV:
Rank | Top Selling EVs 2025 | Top Selling EVs 2026 |
|---|---|---|
1 | Tesla Model Y (1284) | Tesla Model Y (2979) |
2 | BYD Atto 3 (555) | BYD Atto 3 (831) |
3 | Polestar 2 (354) | BYD Atto 2 (732) |
4 | BYD Sealion 7 (337) | BYD Atto 1 (717) |
5 | Tesla Model 3 (308) | MG 4 (648) |
6 | Kia EV5 (276) | Dongfeng Box | Kia EV3 (580) |
7 | Kia EV3 (255) | Jaecoo J5 (541) |
8 | BYD Dolphin (221) | BYD Sealion 7 (533) |
9 | Toyota BZ4X (192) | Zeekr 7X (498) |
10 | BMW i (176) | Kia EV5 (410) |
11 | Honda e:N1 (171) | Toyota BZ4X (354) |
12 | Mini Countryman (151) | MG S5 (335) |
13 | Omoda E5 (128) | Geely EX5 (318) |
14 | Geely EX5 | Mini Aceman (111) | Dongfeng Vigo (287) |
15 | Volvo EX30 (109) | Tesla Model 3 (275) |
Source: NZTA – 2026 sales to 30/09/26





